10 Ways to use ThingLink

What is ThingLink?

ThingLink is a platform for creating interactive images and videos for web, social, advertising, and educational channels.  It allows you to make your images come alive with video, text, images, and music.  ThingLink works as an app or in a browser which is great for classrooms that have iPads or Chromebook type computers. 

Would you like to see what I mean?  Click on the image below to take you a ThingLink I made full of examples of how teachers are using ThingLink in their content areas. Trust me - you will want to check it out because these examples will get your creative juices flowing!

#1 -  Getting to Know You

Have students take a picture of themselves or draw a self-portrait and then have them tag the image with interesting things about themselves.  They could include: favorite band/song, book, maps of places they have visited, hobbies, career aspirations, etc.  This would be a great way for students to get to know each other when working on establishing a classroom community.  You can check out the one I started here: Getting to Know Mrs. Kabdi

#2 - Identify Parts 

Consider using ThingLink in place of a quiz by having students tag an image with the parts of something.  In an tech ed class, you might have them label the parts of an engine.  In a computer class, you might have them label the parts of a toolbar and tell what they mean.  In a science class, you might have them label the parts of a plant, the water cycle, the periodic table, or the layers of the Earth.  Layers of the Earth Example

#3 - Interactive Reports

Have students choose an image that represents a topic they are studying (be careful of copyrights) and then have them tag the image with their research.  This could include sound clips, videos, summaries of a written paper, podcasts, or even google docs they have written.  Martin Luther King Jr. Example

#4 - Communicate with Parents

Do you ever have trouble getting parents to read your newsletters?  Consider making a ThingLink to show off what the students learned this week.  You could take a picture of their post-note exit tickets and tag them with the names of the students. You could even start your year off by letting students and parents know what to expect in your class. Welcome to 4th Grade Example

#5 - Interactive Bulletin Boards

Take a picture of your bulletin board showcasing the work your students did and tag it with videos of each student reading.  Send the link to parents to show them the progress their child is making.  You can even take a picture of your bulletin board to introduce new content to your students.  Think about introducing vocabulary words, having students watch a video, or activating background knowledge by having students explore a ThingLink at home, during centers, or after they finish other work.  This will help make the most of your instructional time when you are ready to teach.  Technology Bulletin Board Example

#6 - Progress Monitoring

Take a picture of your student and then tag the image with audio or video of the student reading at the beginning of the year and then update it monthly or before each time you meet with parents. Wouldn't it be neat to watch your students progress on mastering a skill in phy-ed? How about a musical instrument? To protect student privacy, I am not including an example, but I think you can see how powerful a timeline of progress would be for the parents and the student. 

#7 - Book Talks

This is a great way to get students talking about the books they have read.  They can make recommendations to their friends, or they can report out on the things on the rubric you provide them. You can then turn the link the to ThingLink into a QR code and tape it to the cover of the book.  Display them in your classroom and students will have instant access to a peer review of a book they might be interested in reading! A View From Saturday Example

#8 - Photo Collages

Using photo collages is a great way to introduce content in a timeline format.  You could put together a timeline of famous artists or musicians, or even a timeline of when the states were added to the union.  You could have students tag each picture with dates or relevant videos.  A photo collage is a great way to keep your students and parents in the loop with which apps you are using the classroom with a short description explaining the purpose.  You could even make a photo collage of your classroom to send home to students before the start of the year to get them excited about coming back.  Technology Example Classroom Tour Example Timeline Example

#9 -  Make Art Talk

I love this idea for art shows! Have students take a picture of their art and then tag it with the story behind their piece.  They can talk about their design process, mediums, and revisions.  Embed the ThingLink link in a QR code and put it next to the art and now the show becomes interactive! Students can also showcase their knowledge of different forms of art through their drawing and it can be used as an assessment. Art Example

#10 - Vocabulary

Turn learning vocabulary into a multimedia experience! You and students can tag each image of the word with the audio file of the pronunciation of the word, a link to the word being used in a sentence, a photo or video demonstrating the word, or a dictionary definition.  Students could present their word to the class or add their tag to a picture of the class word wall. Vocabulary Example

I hope you got some ideas about how to use ThingLink in your classroom and it got your creative juices flowing! I am doing a training this upcoming week for the teachers in my district and I can't wait to see what ideas they will come up with to use ThingLink with their students.  If you need more ideas, check out this resource, which was the inspiration behind my post. 

How will you use ThingLink in your classroom?

A Thank You to All Teachers

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 and give to a teacher who teachers from the heart! 

Dear Teachers,

One thank you doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of how much you are appreciated.  I know that you spend hours lesson planning, and preparing and organizing materials.  I know that you take time out of your day to mentor other teachers, read books that will help you grow, attend staff meetings, grade level team meetings, PLCs, and IEPs -most of which take place during your few minutes of prep.  

However, more important than all of those tasks, is the time you put in building relationships with the children in your building.  We are all in this together and I know you recognize that all the kids are "our kids".  Sometimes that means helping a student from another class when he is having a meltdown, or when you find him crying outside of the bathroom.  Sometimes it means adding another teacher's class to your own, or covering a lunch or recess duty so they can attend to a student.  

You see, the content you teach is important, but the time that you put into building up our young people, giving them the strength and courage to try, and the feedback to learn from mistakes is your most important work. The best teachers, teachers like you, teach from the heart. 

Right click and hit Save As Image to Save this picture and give 

to an amazing educator.

Thank you for being an amazing educator! Your hard work and dedication to one of the most difficult professions does not go unnoticed! You are valued and appreciated! 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, 

Success From Failure

This post contains affiliate links.  See disclaimer. 

 Last week, I took my son ice skating.  While I was there, I watched a little boy try to ice skate for the first time.  Do you remember what it was like when you learned how to ice skate?  I bet the experience went something like this - put on skates, take one step on the ice, fall, get back up, "walk" in skates on the ice, fall again, realize how bad your feet hurt, continue walking, fall, and realize that your feet still hurt and now so does your bottom.  The outcome of all of this was eventually learning to skate.

For this boy, the experience was very similar, except for he only fell once,  didn't learn to skate, and doesn't want to go back.  Why was he so afraid to let go of the crates that he was pushing around? Fear of Failure.  It is something we have all had to work through before. How do we let kids know it is okay and necessary to fail? How do we help kids learn from their failures?

It is all about how we react to our own failures and how we react when our kids fails.  Take a look at this video:  http://bit.ly/1PtUijc   What do you notice happens when the kid fails?  Amazing responses from the adults, right?  This is an example of a growth mindsets in action.  People with growth mindsets see mistakes as an opportunity and as a necessity to move forward.  They know that people who work hard and put forth effort can be more successful than people who possess raw talent that don't try.  How can we facilitate growth mindsets in our classrooms and homes?

This is a HUGE question and much research has been done on it.  Carol Dweck released a book called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success in 2006 and Mary Cay Ricci has a wonderful book called Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Culture of Success and Student Achievement in Schools, which is an easy read that has a companion guide of activities to do in your classroom called Ready-to-Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom: Everything Educators Need for School Success.  The classroom guides help you lead students through examples of products that were invented by mistake and you talk about people who never gave up and as a result of their hard work and effort contributed amazing discoveries and inventions to society!

To help you facilitate discussions about persevering through failure, here are some FREE growth mindset posters! Enjoy! Click on the picture above to get them from the Teachers Pay Teachers store, or you can download them from Google.

You might also like these FREE posters with my favorite quote!

What are you favorite growth mindset activities?

Start Coding with Kids

Have you thought about what jobs will exist in the next twenty years?  It is hard to think about because many of those jobs do not even exist yet! According to code.org, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that there will be over 1 million computing job openings by 2024.  A computer science major can earn up to 40% than the average college graduate! Who wouldn't want that for their students and children? Keep reading for some tips to introduce coding to kids.

It is okay if you don’t know how to code.  (Repeat that to yourself. It’s really okay!) You can learn the programs that your children are using right along with them.  As you learn, try to resist the urge to hover over them and make suggestions about how you would do it.  If you are just one step ahead, you can show them something neat you learned how to do and then walk away.  They will probably try it out as soon as you’re not looking!

Do some research on apps that you think your children would like.  Fair Warning: Many of these are addicting for adults! You may find yourself considering a career switch to computer science! HA!  Here are some of my favorites with appropriate ages. 

1. Code Studio - All Ages
2. Lightbot Jr. and Lightbot -  Ages 4-8 and 9+
3. Daisy the Dinosaur - Ages 4-6
4. Scratch Jr. and Scratch - Ages 5-7 and 8+
5. Cargo-Bot - Ages 7+

There are MANY more options, but this should be enough to get you started!

As you talk about coding with children, the goal should never be to learn to program.  Instead, focus on creating.  Ask questions like:       

• What would you like to make?

• What could we create to solve the problem?

• What ideas do you have to make “it” work?

When you put the focus on creating, children see it as play.  What they don’t know is that you are preparing them to be creative problem solvers!

Coding can look different for each child.  The key is find out what they are interested in and then match the program to the child.  Children can learn to code using Minecraft, Frozen, dinosaurs, and robots - just to name a few.  When children are engaged in a topic they are passionate about, learning is fun - and that’s the goal, isn’t it?

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is get out of their way. Never underestimate the complexity that children can tackle.  I find that a lot children know how to approach technology that is new to them.  Many will use a trial and error method and figure out how an app works quicker than I could explain it.  So, as hard as it is, plant the seed and then get out of the way!

Hopefully you found some inspiration and courage to introduce a child you know to coding! If you need me, I'll be hiding out somewhere trying to master the next level of Lightbot! 

What are your favorite apps for teaching kids to code?

Augmented Reality

About a year ago I was introduced to some pretty new technology called Augmented Reality (AR). AR is difficult to describe, but very engaging and useful for students.  Onvert.com describes AR as:

"The process of superimposing digitally rendered images onto our real-world surroundings, giving a sense of an illusion or virtual reality. Recent developments have made this technology accessible using a smartphone.

Augmented reality is hidden content, most commonly hidden behind marker images, that can be included in printed and film media, as long as the marker is displayed for a suitable length of time, in a steady position for an application to identify and analyze it. Depending on the content, the marker may have to remain visible."

In my words, Augmented Reality is when you have a trigger image which is the image you scan using your smart device, and an overlay image which you don't see until your smart device recognizes the trigger image and makes the overlay image "pop" off the screen.  There are several programs  that you can use to create and scan images.  The free program I have been experimenting with is called Aurasma. You create the trigger image using Aurasma Studio on your computer and scan the trigger image using the Aurasma app, which you can download from the app store. 

So, the real question we need to ask is how do we use this technology with our students? When I first learned about this technology, I had trouble making connections with how we could use it effectively with students.  It was fun and entertaining, but what educational value did it have?

As I have done more reading and attended trainings, I have begun to see the real potential that AR could bring to our classrooms.  Here are some creative ideas to ponder:

Interactive Book Reviews Students video record themselves doing book reviews, and when another student scans the book it shows a classmate telling about the book.

Instant Teacher Help The teacher video records him/herself explaining a difficult problem on the homework.  When the student scans the homework page, the teacher pops up giving tips and tricks to help them solve the problem.

Student Recognition Take a photo of a student who is being recognized for something and have it link to a video of them saying thank you for the award, to a piece of their work, or to an additional photo of them.

Word Wall Students can record themselves saying the word and definition.  Then when they scan the word or a picture of the word, they get an instant reminder.  In addition, they could scan the word and have it link to a video that gives them more information or an example of the word.

Yearbook You could do so many things here! A picture of an important sports game could link to a video of the game.  The picture of the principal could be a trigger for an end of the year message to students.  Pictures of faculty or students could be triggers for their favorite memory of the year.

Letters Home When you send letters home to parents include a trigger that when scanned explains details of the field trip, a greeting that tells about you at the beginning of the year, or  a link to a video of the classroom.  The possibilities are really endless!

I have been tinkering around and learning how to create resources using AR and have come up with this beach-themed division activity.  Even if your students don't learn or practice division, download the activity and the Aurasma app and give it a shot! You can download it by clicking on the picture below or from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  There are more detailed directions in the download!

How do/would you use Augmented Reality in your classroom? 

Meeting Rick Wormeli

This blog post contains affiliate links. 

Have you ever had the opportunity to listen to one of your favorite professional authors speak? Have you ever had the chance to be energized by hearing an expert in your field speak passionately? Have you ever walked away from a conference feeling more sure about your beliefs and ready to tackle new challenges?

I feel so lucky because all of those things happened to me yesterday! I had the absolute privilege of listening to and meeting Rick Wormeli, author of Fair Isn't Always Equal.

Mr. Wormeli was entertaining, energetic and thought-provoking.  A genuinely nice guy with all students at the forefront of his mind.  He didn't mince words as he talked to us about ethics, and our moral responsibility as educators to leave effort, homework, and participation out of our grades.  We also discussed the importance of never entering a zero into the gradebook and why averaging grades is an unfair practice that tells us how students are doing compared to each other, but not how each student is doing compared to a learning objective or standard.  

He gently reminded us that giving feedback is one of the most important ways that we can help our students achieve growth! Did you know that providing explanations as to why a student's responses are correct or incorrect can have an increase of 20 percentile points in student achievement? What is even more amazing is that if you show the students their achievement using graphics (think charts and graphs) it can positively affect student achievement by 26 percentile points! 

Have you ever offered extra credit in class before? I know I have! Mr. Wormeli made a great point during the presentation when he talked about if he were the ruler of the universe, that he would eliminate ALL extra credit! He pointed out that if you are going to put extra credit on a test, it should be valuable. He asked us to consider that if the extra credit was valuable, then why didn't you put it in the test to start? Extra credit skews and inflates grades and in turn does not offer an accurate picture of student achievement!

We also spent much of the time learning about how to create buy-in with staff and the community as we move towards implementing Standards Based Report Cards. One of the biggest take-aways was that you have to change teacher belief systems before changing structures.  He also reminded us that you will never have 100% buy in, but you should not let that stop you from implementing good pedagogy. 

I want you to know that these topics were just the tip of the iceberg of all the topics that were discussed in our short time together.  Mr. Wormeli was so kind as to share some great resources with us, and I have typed them up and included them here for you as well! I can't wait to start exploring and doing some more professional reading around the learnings from yesterday.

In closing, I am going to leave  you with this fun picture! It really shows what a gracious and down-to-earth guy Mr. Wormeli is.  He agreed to take a selfie with me! I think he is like the Steve Martin of the education world! 

Where are you in your journey towards Standards Based Report Cards? What is a practice you have adopted to be fair in your grading practices?

Classroom Management

Hi all! I have a such a treat for you today! I am so excited to introduce Tamara Russell of Mrs. Russell's Room as my very first guest blogger! She is going to talking about classroom management and getting ready for the beginning of the year! Her ideas are perfect for brand new teachers and veteran teachers alike! She has such great ideas, and I can't wait to implement them this year! In addition, she just celebrated a TpT milestone! Congrats!!

Hello everyone! :)

I'm excited to be guest blogging for Michelle today! ;)

I was so honored to be asked! 

A few years ago, I developed this list of questions to help me get my mind wrapped around the expectations I have for my students.  It's a great tool that I reflect on often before the year! :)

Click HERE if you'd like to download this free item for your own files! :)

Michelle wanted us to chat a bit about how I use this tool in my classroom, so, I thought what I'd do is highlight a few important points that are underscored by the questions in my management freebie! :)

Let's get started!

This is a super busy time for you!

Know what you will and won't allow during this time, and practice these things with the kids.

A fun idea that I tried this year was the Don't Bother Me Hat from Today in Second Grade.

If I just needed a minute to gather my thoughts at my desk and my hat was on, the kids knew...just wait at your seat until the hat comes off! :)

I like to use a mailbox system in my room.

The kids know that they put their homework in it every day.  This is something we practice doing often at the beginning of the year.

Don't have cardboard mailboxes?  How about a milk crate with hanging folders?

Just make sure the kids know how to file it before you leave them to do it independently.

Make sure that you have high expectations for this.  As the year goes on, you will get more laid back...so, if you are too laid back, transitions will last FOREVER! :(

Make sure that the kids know they need to take the quickest route to where they need to go.

In order to go to the bathroom, you don't need to stop by Jimmy's desk, pick up the pencil on the floor, and throw out your tissue. LOL! :)

Reward students, table groups...or a whole class if they're quick and prepared to begin when you are! :)

Especially as a new teacher...it's important that when your students are out and about that their behavior reflects the character that you work on in the room.  I love these line up chants from Jennifer over at Herding Kats in Kindergarten!  They are a great way to cue the students to what kind of behavior is appropriate with a light touch! :)

This a tough one...especially as a new teacher.  What is too hard?  What is too soft?

Well, if you are CONSISTENT with both rewards and consequences, you will find that the students will work within the boundaries you set.

I just recently blogged about how I tie my clip chart system into my pirate themed classroom! :)

Click HERE to see the post!  Make sure that you are verbal and varied in your praise.  Don't just say...good job.  Say...That was a great choice! :)  I also like to praise my students with specific things that relate to their character.  A few years ago, I had a boy in my third grade class who jumped to steady me when I wobbled on a stool while I was getting something.  I turned to him and said...some day, you'll make a good husband.  You know...that boy never saw me get up on that stool again without coming beside me to hold my hand and steady me...or to take what I was holding from my hands.  Verbal praise is POWERFUL! :)

Keep your centers simple.  Make sure that the students are able to embrace the routine.

Have a plan for what they do when they are done.

Think about this a lot before you start to implement anything! :)

Daily 5 is a great structure, if you don't know where to start! :)

Especially when you are new, the temptation to NOT communicate is strong.

You are afraid to be vulnerable...I get it. :)

The lower the grade, the more parents want to know you.

In my class, I do a weekly update.  I use this template from Laura Martin over at Peace, Love & First.

I have an email list for my parents and send them the updates electronically.  Earlier in my career, I just printed them weekly for the children. 

I also like to try to make positive contact with ALL my parents about their children...but ESPECIALLY if there are a few that I think will have a few calls about negative behavior.  Remember, parents are human too, and they want to hear that their sweeties are doing well...it hurts to hear that they are not.  Be careful how you share your frustration with them. Always have HOPE...even if you don't know a solution just yet! :)

It can be tempting to get busy packing your bag, or sending off last minute emails before the kids leave.

Make sure the last contact they get from you is sincere.

Do a high five or a pound.

Ask them what they liked best about the day...what they look forward to tomorrow.

When you remember it the next day...for the kids...its PRICELESS! :)

When in doubt...love it out! :)

At the end of the day...if you love this job, and you love your kids...most of this will come in time! :)

You've got this!! :)

I hope these tips and links are some that you feel you can come back to throughout the year.

Click HERE to visit me on my blog! :)

You're welcome anytime! :)